Sweden is known for its rich culinary traditions, and there’s no better place to explore them than in Stockholm. Whether you’re a foodie eager to sample authentic dishes or a curious traveler looking to experience local flavors, the city offers a variety of traditional Swedish meals that we think you’ll enjoy.
In this article, we’ll guide you through some of the best traditional Swedish dishes to try in Stockholm. From hearty comfort foods like pyttipanna and Wallenbergare to classics like Swedish meatballs and Toast Skagen, each dish offers a unique taste of Sweden’s culinary heritage. So, let’s embark on a delicious journey through the flavors of Sweden – one plate at a time!
Swedish meatballs – a classic choice
Swedish meatballs, known as köttbullar in Swedish, are a must-try dish when visiting Stockholm. This iconic dish is typically served with lingonberries, creamy mashed potatoes, and rich gravy. You’ll find Swedish meatballs on the menu at many restaurants in the city, each offering its own unique take on this classic. Some of our favorite spots to enjoy authentic Swedish meatballs include Prinsen, Meatballs for the People, Tradition, and Tennstopet.
Rimmad lax – lightly salted salmon
Rimmad lax, which translates to lightly salted salmon, is a traditional Scandinavian method for preserving salmon in salt. This preparation technique, rooted in ancient fish preservation practices, gives the salmon a mildly salty flavor and a firmer texture than raw salmon, yet it remains more tender than fully cured gravlax.
Rimmad lax is typically served cold and thinly sliced, often accompanied by dill-stewed potatoes.
In Stockholm you can have this classic dish at several restaurants. Some of our top picks include Konstnärsbaren, Tranan, and Prinsen.
Sill – pickled herring
Pickled herring, known as sill in Swedish, is a popular dish traditionally enjoyed during the holidays of Midsummer, Easter, and Christmas. However, you can find it served at restaurants all year round. A popular way to enjoy sill is as part of the classic starter S.O.S. (Smör, Ost, Sill), which includes pickled herring served with crispbread, butter, and cheese.
There are several different flavor variations of sill, with some popular ones being löksill (with onion), senapssill (with mustard), and matjesill (a specific type of young herring).
If you’re looking to try delicious pickled herring in Stockholm, we recommend visiting Tennstopet, Tradition, or Pelikan.
Wallenbergare – a veal patty named after a Swedish family
Wallenbergare is a classic Swedish dish named after the influential Wallenberg family, known for their significant contributions to Swedish industry and banking. The dish is a tender and flavorful veal patty, often referred to as a “veal burger”. It has a soft, delicate texture and is typically served with mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam, and green peas.
Some restaurants also offer a variation of the traditional Wallenbergare made with fish instead of veal. For a taste of this Swedish classic, we recommend visiting Tennstopet, Konstnärsbaren, or Tranan.
Pyttipanna – Swedish comfort food
Pyttipanna is a classic Swedish comfort food that you’ll find on many restaurant menus. The name translates to “little bits in a pan”, which perfectly describes this dish made by frying diced potatoes, onions, and various meats, such as ham, sausage, or corned beef. It’s often topped with a fried egg or, in some restaurants, a raw egg yolk.
For a taste of authentic pyttipanna, we recommend visiting Pelikan and Blå dörren.
Toast Skagen – Scandinavian seafood
Toast Skagen is a quintessential Scandinavian dish that first appeared in the 1950s. It’s named after the Danish fishing port of Skagen. This open-faced sandwich is topped with a creamy mixture of shrimps, mayonnaise, dill, and sometimes garnished with a touch of vendace roe. The combination of sweet, briny shrimp, creamy mayonnaise, and fresh dill gives it a light and refreshing flavor.
Toast Skagen has become a staple in Swedish cuisine and is widely served in Stockholm. Some of the best places to try this dish include Prinsen, Konstnärsbaren and Grodan.
Biff Rydberg – a comfort food classic from Stockholm
Biff Rydberg is a traditional Swedish dish that is said to have been created by the chef at Hotel Rydberg, a historical hotel that operated in Stockholm from the mid-19th century and until the mid-20th century. The main component is finely diced tenderloin of beef, which is sautéed and mixed with diced potatoes, onions, and sometimes pickled beetroot.
For a taste of this classic Stockholm comfort food, visit the restaurants Tranan, Grodan, Kvarnen.
Kroppkakor – potato dumplings from southern Sweden
Kroppkakor are traditional potato dumplings originating from southern Sweden. There are several regional variants of the dish with small differences in preparations and fillings, amongst others from the region Småland, Blekinge and from the island Öland.
In Stockholm most restaurants serve kroppkakor filled with minced meat, but they are also vegetarian options, filled with mushrooms. The dumplings are boiled and typically served with melted butter and lingonberry jam, adding a subtle sweetness and buttery contrast.
The name kroppkakor, translates to “body cakes”. Today the name may sound funny, but in old Swedish it would simply mean “round cakes”, describing the shape of the dumplings.
You can enjoy kroppkakor at the restaurants Tradition, Den Gyldene Freden, Pelikan and Freyja.
Raggmunk – Swedish potato pancakes
Raggmunk is a traditional Swedish dish made by mixing grated raw potatoes into pancakes and pan-frying them. The result is a distinct texture – crispy and golden brown on the outside, while the inside remains soft and fluffy. Raggmunk is traditionally served with fried pork or bacon, and accompanied by lingonberry jam. The dominant taste is the potato with rich buttery flavor, and the jam adds some sweetness.
For a taste of raggmunk, visit the restaurants Grodan or Blå dörren.
Stekt Strömming – fried herring with mashed potatoes
Stekt strömming, is Swedish for fried herring – it’s a traditional Swedish dish that has been a staple in the country’s cuisine for centuries. This dish consists of herring, typically caught along the Swedish coast, that is seasoned, coated in breadcrumbs, and then pan-fried until crispy. It’s usually served with creamy mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam, and pickled cucumbers, offering a delicious combination of flavors—savory, tangy, and slightly sweet.
Herring has played a vital role in Swedish food culture, especially in coastal areas like the Roslagen archipelago. Historically, it was a crucial part of the Swedish diet – preserved in various ways to ensure its availability throughout the year. Today, stekt strömming remains a popular dish in Stockholm and can be found at many traditional restaurants.
For those interested in experiencing authentic traditional Swedish food, stekt strömming med potatismos (fried herring with mashed potatoes) is a must-try. Some popular places in Stockholm to try this dish include Kajsas Fisk, Kvarnen, Nystekt Strömming, and Hamnkrogen Vaxholm.
Blodpudding – the Swedish blood sausage
Blodpudding is Sweden’s version of blood sausage, made from pig’s blood mixed with milk and flour. Unlike the traditional sausage shape found in other cultures, blodpudding is typically formed into a loaf or a flat cake. It’s then sliced into thick pieces, often formed in the shape of semicircles, and pan-fried to create a crispy exterior with a soft, rich interior.
The dish has been a staple in Swedish cuisine for centuries and is usually served with lingonberry jam, adding a sweet-tart contrast to the rich savory and the mild sweetness of the blodpudding itself.
For an authentic taste of blodpudding, visit the restaurants Den Gyldene Freden or Tennstopet in Stockholm.